The Global Thinker...
Finally the Global Thinker is online...
For the past 4 years I have attended The Strategic Coach in Toronto. The Coach is a group of entrepreneurs that gather 4 times a year to distinguish a path to a more unique future in business. Dan Sullivan has created the Global Thinker for his students on current events. Dan reads about 14 newspapers a day and has an amazing "take" on just about everything from Politics to Parenting. I hope you enjoy this new way to receive The Global Thinker. Please come back to www.TheCarnahanGroup.com and give us your "take" on the Global Thinker...
Best,
Cindy
http://www.globalthinkeronline.com/go/gtxpZd |
|
Posted By
Cindy Carnahan
At
6:51 PM
•
Comments (0)
Trackbacks (0)
|
A Great Friend is gone...
Cliff Stone has passed away. Cliff has been a tremendous advocate for the arts and education both in Wichita and in Eldorado. It is with great sadness that we say good bye to our good friend. His services will be at Trinity Episcopal Church in Eldorado Kansas tommorrow Saturday at 4pm.
|
|
Posted By
Cindy Carnahan
At
4:55 PM
•
Comments (0)
Trackbacks (0)
|
Pakistan—plots and subplots—the story unfolds
In recent articles we have reported on the Pakistani attacks in the Northwest Territories and questioned the Army’s objectives and suggested that numerous side deals had been made with anti US militants. This drama continues to unfold. The Pakistanis are:
The Pakistanis are...
• Suggesting peace talks with the Taliban while threatening offensive action
• Saying that their offensive has been cancelled only to reverse themselves
• Rebuffing the Obama administration’s diplomatic calls for more offensive actions
• Remaining silent on recent reports of US attacks by armed Predator and other types of unmanned aerial vehicles against targets along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border
• Uncertain as to the future of the government based upon a recent Supreme Court ruling
Pakistani leaders recently signaled a willingness to conduct talks with the Taliban while the prime minister announced that military operations may be considered in a Taliban-controlled tribal area. Prime Minister Gilani said the government will talk to the Taliban before it considers launching an operation while the Interior Minister said he would discuss Taliban offers with political parties that are sympathetic to or who support the Taliban. Negotiations are allegedly on the table. Reports are that the Taliban in Pakistan had approached the government four times to offer peace talks. In the past, the Pakistani government has negotiated with the Taliban under the guise of intermediaries. These arrangements have allowed the government to deny it directly negotiates with the Taliban. The peace agreements in Swat and a multitude of peace agreements in North and South Waziristan were negotiated with "tribal elders."
The military and the government have previously signaled they are unwilling to enter North Waziristan, where three Taliban groups all shelter al Qaeda and a host of Pakistani jihadist groups who conduct attacks against Pakistan as well as in Afghanistan.
The Pakistani announcement comes as a back drop to visits to Islamabad by both General Petraeus and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff Admiral Mike Mullen, who conducted talks with Pakistan's powerful army chief General Kayani. President Barack Obama's plan for turning around the unpopular Afghan war topped the agenda. He is reported to have discussed the "evolving regional security situation with particular focus on the revised US strategy for Afghanistan and the region, especially its impact and short and long term implications for Pakistan," a military statement said.
The administration’s plan has been criticized in Pakistan where they fear a troop surge in Afghanistan will send more militants into Pakistan, while a draw-down date will embolden Islamist insurgents on both sides of the border. Admiral Mullen reportedly expressed concern about "growing" collusion between Afghan Taliban and Al-Qaeda and other extremist groups sheltered in Pakistan. He also is reported as trying to pressure the Pak Army to dismantle Taliban strongholds in its lawless northwest tribal area and stop militants slipping over the porous border to attack NATO and US troops. Pakistan’s focus has been on homegrown militants who attack domestic targets and they have tried to make “deals” with other militants. According to reports, Pakistani Army Chief of Staff, General Kayani, told the Americans that Pakistan’s Army already had its hands full in fighting enemies of Pakistan and that Washington should take stock in Pakistan’s limitations and stop making unrealistic demands. What he didn’t say is that the Pakistani focus remains on India, but it does.
Recent reports indicate that the US military killed 17 terrorists during two airstrikes in the Taliban-controlled tribal area of North Waziristan. The first airstrike occurred when a Hellfire missile fired by either a Predator or a Reaper unmanned aircraft slammed into a vehicle parked outside a home. Two insurgents were reportedly killed in the attack. The second strike occurred when five or six unmanned strike aircraft fired upwards of 10 Hellfires in a cave complex, a compound and a vehicle. No senior al Qaeda or Taliban leaders were reported to have been killed in the strikes. These attacks against the Taliban elements that the Pakistan government is talking about negotiations with may in fact make such negotiations more difficult if not impossible by making these Taliban elements more hostile to the government and for the military’s hand. Could this have been their purpose? Islamabad has been silent on this so far.
In a possibly related event the Pak Supreme Court threw out a law that granted amnesty to some past politicians including the minister of defense and the prime minister. The implications of this court decision are still developing, but government uncertainty and the possibility of near term elections probably places more power in the hands of the Army which is the ultimate power broker in Pakistan anyway.
Pakistan is key to the Obama administration’s efforts in Afghanistan and the above tea leaves are not optimistic in predicting the direction that the Pakistani government will go. |
|
Posted By
Cindy Carnahan
At
9:47 AM
•
Comments (0)
Trackbacks (0)
|
Did you know video...amazing information
If you haven't seen this video...it is truly a wow!
http://www.chrisrawlinson.com/2009/03/2009-did-you-know-video/
Happy Friday,
Cindy
|
|
Posted By
Cindy Carnahan
At
11:17 AM
•
Comments (0)
Trackbacks (0)
|
Santa Claus is Coming...
The list is made, the presents are wrapped and the letter has been written. Come visit Santa and his special guests without the parking nightmare at the mall. Santa will be in the lobby of the Commerce Bank at The Waterfront Thursday, from 4pm to 6pm. There will even be a professional photographer. The Carnahan Group would also love to see you and will have a hot cup of coffee ready for your visit.
HO HO HO!
|
|
Posted By
Cindy Carnahan
At
2:51 PM
•
Comments (0)
Trackbacks (0)
|
Shocker Basketball Watch Party!
|
Join The Carnahan Group & Fellow Shockers as we cheer on WSU men’s basketball while they’re away!
WSU basketball hits the road this week to take
on UMKC TONIGHT at 7:05
p.m. Enjoy the action among Shocker fans, alumni and
friends at Fox and Hound at the Waterfront. Sign up to win Shocker gear
from the WSU Bookstore and, for alumni association members, your chance at a
trip for two to the MVC Tournament at the end of the season!
Click here
for a complete list of the 2009-2010 watch
parties.
Want a more personal experience than watching the game on TV? Travel with the
team during three bus trips this season sponsored by the alumni
association. WSU takes to the road on Jan. 6 against Missouri State ($100 pp),
then an overnight trip to Creighton
Jan. 16 & 17 ($185 pp double occupancy), and wind up in St.
Louis at the Missouri
Valley Conference Tournament Mar. 4-7 ($500 pp double
occupancy). For more details and to make your reservations please contact
Prestige Bus Charters at (316) 263-9141 or Amanda at (316) 978-3874.
We look forward to seeing you there and GO SHOCKS! |
|
Posted By
Cindy Carnahan
At
2:20 PM
•
Comments (0)
Trackbacks (0)
|
My brother weigh's in on the President's Speech about Afgahnestan
As previously reported the President’s speech at West Point appears to point towards a preemptive withdrawal—beat the Taliban back and then withdraw beginning in 2011. However, there are numerous indications that this may have only been a sop to his leftist political base. (Whatever the intent, Chris Mathews’ remark about West Point being the camp of the enemy may have done a significant amount of political damage to the President’s goal of gaining bipartisan support for this effort—the entire nation respects what West Point stands for.) The goals of the strategy seem ambitious. There seems to be a diplomatic /public diplomacy component to the strategy that was not mentioned in the speech.
Karl Rove and Newt Gingrich (those are probably two supporters that the President didn’t need.) in supporting the president’s strategy pointed out that the key ingredient to success is perseverance. Will the administration have the perseverance to see the conflict through to a successful conclusion? Secretary Gates, while testifying to Congress on Wednesday said:
Our current plan is that we will begin the transition in local areas in July of 2010, but we will evaluate in December of 2010 whether we believe we will be able to meet that objective. If circumstances dictate in December, the President always has the freedom to adjust his decision.
In defining success Secretary of Defense Gates announced 7 goals to the strategy:
1. Reversing Taliban momentum
2. Denying the militant access to key population and production centers and lines of communications
3. Disrupting militant activities elsewhere
4. Preventing Al Qaeda from reestablishing itself
5. Degrading the Taliban to levels manageable by Afghan forces
6. Increasing the size and capability of Afghan police and security forces
7. Selectively building the capacity of the Afghan government
These seem to be reasonable goals, but goals that can be accomplished in 12 -18 months. In this regard the strategy seems to outweigh the resources. We have always advised that ends (goals), ways, and means (resources) must be in balance for a strategy to work.
It will probably require perseverance past 18 months, unless the threat of the upcoming effort creates political leverage with the Taliban for the Afghans to reach an acceptable political accommodation.
The strategy appears to have a diplomatic/public diplomacy aspect that became visible yesterday with announcements by both Afghan President Karzai and General McChrystal seeking discussions with the Taliban to terminate the conflict. Most likely this public posturing is the beginning of the attempts to divide the Taliban and to appeal to the peace seeking component within the Taliban that we discussed earlier.
With respect to the goal of building the capacity of the Afghan government, the White House Press Secretary began the pressure on the Afghan government when he said on Wednesday: “If President Karzai is unable or unwilling to make changes in corruption or governance then we will identify people at subcabinet level, at a district level that can implement the types of services and basic governance without corruption that Afghans need.”
This suggests what we have been advocating for some time—a regional / tribe oriented aspect to the strategy, not a campaign to make a non-corrupt central government where there has never been one.
Improved governance and security so that basic services can be provided to tribes, towns and regions are the key to success in gaining public support or at least turn them against the Taliban. This means that if at the province or tribal level the allied and Afghan force can hold the towns and the lines of communications the Taliban can be denied public support. Key to this will also be the provision of employment.
It would appear that the initial thrust of the new forces will be against the Pashtuns in the south. This will be the toughest area / tribe and if there is success there the rest of the country may follow much more easily.
Speaking of the Pashtuns we cannot forget the Pakistani aspect to the whole problem. This will be the subject of the next article.
The President’s strategy has aspects that will most likely require perseverance for more than 18 months and one can only hope that domestic politics do not undercut the resolve necessary to persevere.
Bruce, B.G. Clarke Col Rtd
|
|
Posted By
Cindy Carnahan
At
10:29 AM
•
Comments (0)
Trackbacks (0)
|
Hot Buttered Rum Recipe
Fun to have in your freezer heading into the holidays...
Cream Together:
1 lb. of butter
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 lb. brown sugar
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 lb powdered sugar
Fold in 1 pint of Vanilla ice cream
keep in freezer & use all winter long on those cold nights as desert!
In an over sized coffee cup mix
3 Tablespoons of mix
Boiling Water
Microwave to desired Temperature
Add 1 jigger of rum...
YUM!
|
|
Posted By
Cindy Carnahan
At
9:31 AM
•
Comments (0)
Trackbacks (0)
|
Help for Military Families...
A group of volunteers in Yorba Linda, California are doing great things for our Marines and soldiers in southern California. I have been fortunate enough to be invited to a dinner hosted by Bruno Serato of the Anaheim White House and this great group of supporters of our warriors. I am hopeful that this article will inspire other groups to start and conduct similar efforts in support of our military.
In thinking back to my war it is amazing how the landscape has changed. When I came back from Vietnam we were told to not wear our uniforms in public. Today one walks through airports and soldiers in battle dress are applauded. American Airlines welcomes them into the Admiral’s club and when available gives them seats in first class. This group in Yorba Linda is quietly taking similar actions to recognize our men and women warriors.
It all started about 5 years ago, when the Blehms had about 6 Marines in for Thanksgiving dinner. That started them thinking about the holidays. Next was a desire to support military families for the Christmas holiday, because they heard that young soldiers and Marines were enduring financial hardships. Bridget Blehm called the Commanding General at Camp Pendelton who gave his unbounded support and the effort was off and running.
One of the first things the group accomplished after its first Christmas, was to send many families for "A Day of Disney", before the men/women deployed to Iraq almost 3 years ago.
Today Families of Active Military’s goal is to assist families in many areas:
• Christmas for the needier families – they usually assist 7 – 9 families (especially for those with handicapped children, which seem to be many in our military),
• Holiday dinners,
• Deployment goody bags for the military men and women,
• Family outings when the spouse is deployed, etc.
Over the years the supporters have grown in number so that this year there are over 130 people supporting the Thanksgiving feast for approximately 35 Marines and 30 soldiers.
Additionally the group is supporting 7 families for Christmas. The Blehms live in a community with a clubhouse and they will put a tree up at the clubhouse with 4 tags per person in each family. They also like to give them gift cards to buy groceries (most of them put this on their wish list). They also try to give each family $100 for each child. This also allows them to buy their children something from them.
Some local merchants have caught the fever. The group received an email from Camp Pendleton asking if the group could send some instant coffee to some deployed Marines and they said sure, send their addresses. The list received was for 10 squadrons with around 1,500 personnel. The program is going well thanks to the assistance of the Starbuck's located at Yorba Linda Blvd. and Valley View in Yorba Linda, California who joined forces with the group. You might consider approaching your local Starbucks to see if they might help in such a program.
I salute Bridget Blehm and all of the members and supporters of For Families of Active Military.
For Families of Active Military can always use more support. The more support the more that can be done for our warriors. For anyone wishing to help just drop me an email and I will put you in contact with Bridget.
For readers around the country please steal the idea and start your own chapter of For Families of Active Military—our brave men and women in uniform deserve all that we can do for them. We can help with organizational plans if desired. Thanks!
Colonel Bruce B.G. Clarke, Army Ret.
Cindy's Brother
Give Thanks for Freedom,
Cindy
|
|
Posted By
Cindy Carnahan
At
8:39 AM
•
Comments (0)
Trackbacks (0)
|
Retraction...
Apparently putting in your pin backwards will not summon the police! For those who read my rescent Post "Yell For Help"...
It isn't true. Just paste this into your browser for clarification.
Thanks to Jeff Axmann, The RealKISS webmaster for the real truth!
http://www.snopes.com/business/bank/pinalert.asp
Happy Wednesday,
Cindy
|
|
Posted By
Cindy Carnahan
At
8:00 AM
•
Comments (0)
Trackbacks (0)
|
Hong's New Greenhouse and Garden Center is a Wow!
30 years in business and growing...
Don't miss Ilsik Hong's 30th anniversary celebration!
May 2nd everything will be 30% off!
I had a tour yesterday evening with the master himself!
Congratulations Mr. Hong
You have helped Wichita Grow!
Happy Gardening
Cindy
|
|
Posted By
Cindy Carnahan
At
3:45 AM
•
Comments (0)
Trackbacks (0)
|
Tax Fact...
In the 1730s, all “U.S.” residents paid a 6-shilling tax for a “night watch” guard. Benjamin Franklin circulated an essay decrying “the inequity of this tax . . . since a poor widow housekeeper . . . paid as much as the wealthiest merchant, who had thousands of pounds’ worth of goods in his store.”
This led to a reform law. Ben's proportional tax resembles the U.S. federal income tax, enacted in 1913, with its progressive rate.
My, wasn't Ben busy!
Cindy
|
|
Posted By
Cindy Carnahan
At
6:08 AM
•
Comments (0)
Trackbacks (0)
|
Yell for Help!
THE RECENT TRAGEDY OF A YOUNG WOMAN BEING KIDNAPPED AND EVENTUALLY KILLED; AFTER SHE HAD REPEATEDLY GIVEN THE KIDNAPPER A WRONG PIN TO HER ATM CARD. IF SHE KNEW THE METHOD BELOW, SHE COULD HAVE BEEN SAVED.
SO I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO LET YOU KNOW.
~
IF YOU SHOULD EVER BE FORCED BY A ROBBER TO WITHDRAW MONEY FROM AN ATM MACHINE, YOU CAN NOTIFY THE POLICE BY ENTERING YOUR PIN # IN REVERSE.
FOR EXAMPLE IF YOUR PIN NUMBER IS 1234 THEN YOU WOULD PUT IN 4321.
THE ATM RECOGNIZES THAT YOUR PIN NUMBER IS BACKWARDS FROM THE ATM CARD YOU PLACED IN THE MACHINE. THE MACHINE WILL STILL GIVE YOU THE MONEY YOU REQUESTED, BUT UNKNOWN TO THE ROBBER, THE POLICE WILL BE IMMEDIATELY DISPATCHED TO HELP YOU. THIS INFORMATION WAS RECENTLY BROADCAST ON FOX TV AND IT STATES THAT IT
IS SELDOM USED BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW IT EXISTS.
Happy Monday,
Cindy
|
|
Posted By
Cindy Carnahan
At
11:43 AM
•
Comments (0)
Trackbacks (0)
|
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
|
Increased
stress within families due to the economic downturn, coupled with tighter
budgets for services for struggling children and families have child advocates
calling for increased awareness of the problem of child abuse and neglect and
ways it can be prevented. In response, the Kansas Children’s Service
League (KCSL), as the Prevent Child Abuse Kansas Chapter, has initiated the
“Safe and Strong – Right from the Start” campaign.
We
all play a role in raising children and the prevention of child abuse and
neglect," says Vicky Roper, Director of Education and Awareness for KCSL
and the PCA Kansas Chapter Director.
The actions we take to promote healthy child development are the
very actions that help to prevent child abuse and neglect, like parent-child
interaction and understanding child development milestones.
According to Roper, individuals can help play a role in the
prevention of child abuse and neglect in the following ways:
-
Advocate:
Help change the way our
state and nation thinks about prevention by focusing on community activities
and public policies that prioritize prevention right from the start. Contact
local, state and national law makers about the importance of prevention
programs.
-
Volunteer:
Serve on a committee or
board. We all play a role in raising children whether we are neighbors,
educators, caregivers or family members.
-
Educate:
Contact local school
districts and faith communities about sponsoring classes for parents. Be a
mentor to a new parent; share your skills with your neighbors. A healthy,
nurturing environment for children is one of the best lifelong investments we
can make.
-
Support:
Get to know and support
the children and families in your community. With the support of engaged
communities and nurturing families, all of our children can thrive. Know the
resources available in your community and how to connect families to them. Call
the Parent Helpline at 1-800-332-6378.
-
Report:
Recognize the signs and symptoms of child abuse. If you suspect child abuse
and/or neglect call 1-800-922-5330.
For
a list of statewide Child Abuse Prevention Month Activities, visit https://www.kcsl.org/cap_events.aspx.
|
|
Posted By
Cindy Carnahan
At
10:17 AM
•
Comments (0)
Trackbacks (0)
|
Did you know...
This video was played recently at a Sony convention...paste it in your browser for some interesting facts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL9Wu2kWwSY
Happy Sunday,
Cindy
|
|
Posted By
Cindy Carnahan
At
5:35 PM
•
Comments (0)
Trackbacks (0)
|
Happy Birthday Greetings from the White House or Governeour?
Interested in requesting a birthday or anniversary greeting from the White House, Kansas Governor, or the Kansas Department on Aging for an older relative or friend? Read the requirements (it's easier than you think!).
Please note that all greeting requests must be submitted in writing preferably sent by fax to 202-456-2461 or by mail to:
The White House
Attn: Greetings Office
Washington, D.C. 20502-0039
White House Web Mail (Off Site - Not on the White House Grounds)
Please review these guidelines carefully before mailing your request to the White House.
U.S. Citizens Only. The White House will send greetings to United States citizens only, for special occasions as outlined below.
Advance Notice Required. Your request must be received six (6) weeks in advance of the event date. We make every effort to honor every request, but we cannot guarantee a greeting if this guideline is not met. (Greetings are generally not sent after the event date, except for wedding congratulations and newborn acknowledgments.)
Anniversary Greetings. Anniversary greetings are extended only to those couples who are celebrating their 50th (and subsequent) wedding anniversary.
Birthday Greetings. White House Birthday Greetings will be sent only to individuals 80 years of age and above.
Other Greetings. A limited number of special occasions other than birthdays and anniversaries exist for which the Greetings Office will send appropriate recognition to United States citizens. These occasions include important events such as:
Wedding (send your request after the event)
Baby's Birth (must be born during the Bush Administration; send request only after baby's birth)
Eagle Scout Award
Girl Scout Gold Award
Bar/Bat Mitzvah or equivalent occasion
Required Information. Please include the following in your request:
name and home address of honoree(s)
form of address (Mr., Ms., Mrs., Dr., Miss, etc.)
exact date of occasion (month, day, year)
age (birthdays) or number of years of marriage
your (the requestor's) name and daytime phone number
any specific mailing instructions if other than to honoree's address
Wedding (Include couple's married names and current or new address)
Baby's Birth (Include baby's date of birth and full names and address of baby and parents)
When to Expect Your Greeting. In most cases, greetings will be mailed from the White House approximately ten (10) days prior to the event.
Now you know!
Cindy
|
|
Posted By
Cindy Carnahan
At
8:59 AM
•
Comments (0)
Trackbacks (0)
|
Wichita Is In The News...
The following is an excerpt from an AP article published Saturday, March 7, entitled "As Recession Deepens, Experts Search for the Bottom."
"How much worse could it get?: The Federal Reserve estimates home prices could fall 18 to 29 percent more by the end of 2010. Declines will probably be less severe in cities with healthier economies that don't have a glut of unsold homes, like Tulsa, OKla., and Wichita, Kan."
|
|
Posted By
Cindy Carnahan
At
12:06 PM
•
Comments (0)
Trackbacks (0)
|
|
This is The Carnahan Group blog site. Here you will find posts by Cindy Carnahan and her associates on topics ranging from current real estate events, the market, and anything else we feel like discussing! We invite you to join in on our discussion and have some fun!
|